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The application by Crossman Homes Ltd wants 12 one-bedroom flats, 18 two-bedroom apartments and one three-bedroom unit on the site.

But residents have already objected, worried about the development having just 15 car parking spaces.

The Bristol Civic Society added if the council was convinced the building could not be re-used, then the replacement building should reflect the baths’ listed status and merits.

In the planning documents Crossman Homes Ltd states: “The site has been vacant since closure and unfortunately subject to repeated arson and vandalism attacks, as well as being occupied by squatters on numerous occasions.

“The most recent occurrence was on March 7, this year when the police were called to assist the owners in preventing an illegal occupation attempt.

“This sort of activity clearly has an obvious negative impact on the local community and is a waste of emergency services resources.

“The existing building is now in a serious state of disrepair as a result and after speaking with various neighbours there is a clear desire for the site to be re-inhabited to prevent future occurrences.”

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While there is an understandable need for new, modern swimming facilities in the local area, the cost of renovating the existing building would be excessive and is considered unrealistic,” it adds.

The site was previously given permission for 32 one and two-bedroom flats in a “mock art-deco” block, but that never went ahead.

Another application for 13 three-story three-bedroom townhouses and parking was also agreed, but neither of the plans went ahead.

In one objection to the plan, a neighbour stated: “Although I understand any redevelopment of the current structure would be an improvement as it is unsafe and an eyesore, but to cram so many dwellings into such a confined space is ridiculous.

“The biggest issue for me is the amount of new parking spaces being proposed versus the amount of dwellings.

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“This area has been over developed with multi-occupancy housing and it is causing a real issue with local parking and friction between local residents.

“With the 31 proposed dwellings and the worst case that all the occupants have a vehicle, which will be nearly 90 extra cars with a proposed parking allowance of 15 spaces. Please explain to me where the extra 75 vehicles will park.”

The application is due to be decided on or before Friday, June 30, 2017.

UPDATED: August 2017

A spokesman for Crossman Homes said it purchased the site in its current deteriorated condition.

It had wanted to build 29 apartments on the site, but were said they were only informed during the registration process that the existing swimming pool building had been locally listed as a local heritage asset.

It said it had experts look at the building who concluded the building had “cultural significance as part of Bristol's comprehensive provision of swimming pools in the early 20th century,” but the Speedwell and Jubilee baths in particular had "the least importance as examples of Bristol City Council's policy for encouraging swimming during the early 20th century, and as examples of Dening's (an important Bristol architect) architectural style".

A spokesman for Crossman added: “The report also confirms that the interior of the building had been almost entirely replaced by the time of closure with the only internal feature of significance being the exposed metal roof structure which had been altered and partly concealed by suspended ceilings.”

The spokesman added that representatives of Historic Pools of Britain had also agreed that the conservation and repair of the baths was “wholly unrealistic”.

The developer added that a plan for 31 apartments was expected to be considered by planners later in the year.